Monday, November 17, 2014

It’s
hard to believe but yes, even Angelina Jolie has to pitch – and pitch
hard – for a job in Hollywood. In her own words, Jolie was “not a proven
director” and no number of acting accolades (or an Oscar) was enough to
win her the job of directing the film ‘Unbroken’ outright. Jolie
persisted and that persistence eventually led to the movie’s world
premiere in Sydney last night.

“I had to fight for this job. Fight for it hard,” a radiant Gucci-clad Jolie told Vogue
on the red carpet. “I pitched and pitched and pitched and did meeting
after meeting after meeting because I had to explain how I was going to
pull off this story that people for 50 years have been trying to figure
out how to do. I had to explain why, and how to do it for the budget and
I had to convince them that I knew how to do a plane crash!”

‘Unbroken’ is based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand, which tells the
true story of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic athlete and WWII
solider who was captured in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The titular
role is played by Jack O’Connell with Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett
Hedlund, Miyavi, Finn Wittrock and Jai Courtney also starring.
O’Connell, Miyavi and producer Matthew Baer walked the red carpet
alongside director and producer Jolie. The film was shot exclusively in
Australia (remember when the Jolie-Pitt clan called Sydney home?), hence
why the cast and Pitt (bonus!) returned for the world premiere.

When pressed on how she felt approaching such an immense and
sensitive project, Jolie responded with both humility and
self-awareness. “I was terrified. Terrified. But at the same time I had
to convince the studio that I could do the job so I had to go in there
with confidence,” she said.

And even with all her successes (this film definitely being one of
them – we are predicting a slew of award nominations), Jolie still
thinks her family is her greatest achievement. “My kids are my close
friends. My family is strong and healthy. That’s my job; my job is to
make sure I raise my children right and that I take care of them first.
And to teach them about the world around us,” Jolie said smiling. She
certainly doesn’t need to convince anyone she’s the right woman for that
job.